"I'll do what Mead and Cheselden advise,
To keep these limbs and to preserve these eyes."
Pope,—Epistle to Bolingbroke.
[9] Liverpool.
[10] In the "Massachusetts Magazine," Vol. I., No. 7, for July, 1789, there is "A Description of the Seat of His Excellency John Hancock Esqr. Boston [Illustrated by a Plate, giving a View of it from the Hay-Market]." The print is very well executed for the time, by Samuel Hill, No. 50, Cornhill,—and the account of the estate is very curious and interesting. It describes the house as "situated upon an elevated ground fronting the south, and commanding a most beautiful prospect. The principal building is of hewn stone, finished not altogether in the modern stile, nor yet in the ancient Gothic taste. It is raised about 12 feet above the street, the ascent to which is through a neat flower garden bordered with small trees; but these do not impede the view of an elegant front, terminating in two lofty stories. The east wing forms a noble and spacious Hall. The west wing is appropriated to domestic purposes. On the west of that is the coach-house, and adjoining are the stables with other offices; the whole embracing an extent of 220 feet. Behind the mansion is a delightful garden, ascending gradually to a charming hill in the rear. This spot is handsomely laid out, embellished with glacis, and adorned with a variety of excellent fruit trees. From the Summer House opens a capital prospect," etc.
"The respected character who now enjoys this earthly paradise, inherited it from his worthy uncle, the Hon. Thomas Hancock Esq: who selected the spot and completed the building, evincing a superiority of judgment and taste.... In a word, if purity of air, extensive prospects, elegance and convenience united, are allowed to have charms, this seat is scarcely surpassed by any in the Union. Here the severe blasts of winter are checked," etc.
[11] In this connection, the subjoined document—the original of which we have now at hand—may not be uninteresting, as showing the conditions on which the heirs of Governor John Hancock consented to sell so large a piece of the estate:—
"We the Subscribers, being a Committee of the town of Boston for the purpose of purchasing a piece of Land for the erection of public buildings, certify to all whom it may concern, that the Governor's pasture purchased by us, shall be conveyed to the Commonwealth for that use only, and that no private building shall be erected upon any part of said pasture. Witness our hands this 9th day of April, 1795.
Wm. Tudor,
John C. Jones,
Jos. Russell,
William Eustis,
H. G. Otis,
Thos. Dawes,
William Little,
Perez Morton."
[12] "Inclosed you have the dimensions of two Bed Chambers for each of which I want Wilton Carpets,—do let them be neat. The British Officers who possess'd my house totally defac'd & Ruined all my Carpets, & I must Submit."—Extract from a Letter of John Hancock, dated Nov. 14, 1783, to Captain Scott, at Liverpool,—contained in Gov. Hancock's Letter-Book.